skyline

Taken form the very bottom and from the very top of the 4th tallest building in the world.

Pretty sweet huh? Shanghai skyline is simply fantastic.

Photo credits go to my big brother Andrew. (Edited by me).

Today I'm wishing I was home to watch my other big brothers play. I'm gonna miss seeing it a ton!

Love, a

Oh hey, I'm back

Hey there wonderful people. So, I'm back from Shanghai. Of course we had a blast, and I'm so glad we had another opportunity to go. We always have so much fun. We just can't help it! We got home Tuesday morning and the rest of that day I was running around and I was just a bit busy. I took about 6 bus rides that day, most of them by myself. I don't mind though... it's actually really great.

A couple mornings ago we met up with friends at our favorite noodle place downtown and then we walked to this huge park and watched all the old, Chinese people dance and sing. An old man set up a little speaker and plugged in his music. Then an old lady started singing in the traditional Chinese way. Another man danced with big, red fans and lots more people just sat around, talking and watching. Sometimes huge groups of people gather and dance all together. Most of it is just they're way of exercising.
That sort of thing is very normal here by the way.

Today is Friday and I've got a bit more school to do and the giveaway to figure out. I will indeed be figuring that out soon and hopefully everything will be ready super quickly.

Oh and I'm still listening to Mat Kearney extensively. (Katie)

And with all that said, I'm just happy.
Aren't you happy it's the weekend?

Love you all.

Love, a

p.s. I'm working on my blog right now... I have several options for the header and I'm figuring out everything else as well. Also, notice my background? Pretty indiscreet. Fun, fun, fun!

I'm happy

You may ask what are some of the things that I am happy about. Maybe it's because I haven't told you in a while or maybe it is because it's good for me to think about all those things. I think there are quite a few.

1) This post. Maybe because I feel the same way and I'm not just saying that.

2) This song.

3) Wonderful friends. *Fēi cháng hǎo. 非常好.

4) An upcoming trip to Shanghai.

5) New, black backpacks and the fact that my friend has the same one. Oh yeah, we bargained for them together. :)

6) Fresh ginger + hot water.

7) Dates with Leah at McDonalds.

8) Burger King dates with Lydia.

9) The color gold.

10) The Chinese language!

And much more than that.

I'm going to elaborate on #4 a bit.

On Sunday night Lydia, Leah, Becca and I are jumping on a train and heading to Shanghai until Tuesday! We'll spend the whole time with my big sister Rachael and the five of us girls will do some more galavanting around humongous Shanghai. Can't wait.

What are you happy about?

With much love,

love, a

*The Chinese I used means "very good" or "very wonderful" and the characters mean the same thing. hehe.

delighted

Oh my goodness, thanks so much to all of my new (and faithful) followers. You guys are the best and I'm so thankful for each of you! I'm pretty darn happy.

If you haven't already seen my interview go here. Thanks a ton Katie.

This past Thursday and Friday I was in Shanghai with my older sister Rachael. A few of us went over on Thursday and then my little sister Becca and I spent the night in her apartment.

Friday morning the three of us girls galavanted around Shanghai in the rain. We ate breakfast near Rachael's house at a place called Wagas, where we sat next to the window and people-watched. We ordered coffees and called the cashier "soldier boy" just because he couldn't understand. We stepped into malls just for the fun of it, we laughed a lot and enjoyed all being the same height. (Literally!). We then jumped on the subway and sped underneath the city until we popped up again and found a cafe. We sat at the cafe for hours while snow came down in smalls heaps. Snow! It was really lovely and the flakes were big. We ate, talked a lot, smiled at people and at three, it was time to go. My sister Rachael said after we left she thought "why aren't they staying for a week?" "I'm confused".

Notice the little gray building with the square cut out of the top of it in the background? That's the 4th tallest building in the world. Look at this picture of it. Pure craziness.

The whole day I wore my special red hat and we all had big hoods over our heads to keep warm. We got to the train station and Becca and I boarded the train to go home. We waved to Rachael, yelled several last inside jokes and then turned around and slid our tickets through the machine.

Kudos to Rachael for being the best, and Shanghai? You're pretty sweet.

You might just want to listen to...
This
this
this
this
this
and
this.
These songs kept me company on the twenty minute train ride back home to Suzhou. Outside it was misty and I think it was probably a mix of rain and pollution. It was lovely though.

With lots of love to you all,

love, a

p.s.

mr. baby tree/days gone by

This last week has been great. More than great because my brothers and friend are here. Music, games, laughing, more music, eating and everything in between have filled up our days and I'm quite happy with that. 

A couple of days ago several of the boys headed to Shanghai for a visit. The remaining few of us went shopping... I found an adorable sweater that I will take pictures of soon to show all of you lovely people how cute it is. Hehe.

I can't believe Christmas is in 8 days. That's all.

Yesterday our big group (meaning the eight of us plus Malachi,) and the Wirgaus met up at a karaoke place... it was amazing!!!

Isn't it cute? Thanks Mikayla. 

Have a favorite? 

So to wrap up this "somewhat-of-a-longer" post I'll just say "I'm happy" because I simply am.

Love, a

p.s. Bethy gave me the idea for the pictures of the tree. And the trees are about 1 to 2 inches high. :)

a jumble of before bed thoughts

These past two days my Mom has been gone in Hong Kong (I miss you Mom!) So we've been keeping busy by being with friends, shopping, eating pizza, and getting ready for all the boys to come. 

Tomorrow we head to Shanghai (yet again!) to meet my Mom, and the next day to pick up the boys!

I haven't seen my three brothers for about four months. I miss them all badly so I cannot wait.

I am full of happiness, joy, warmth and the excitement that these next couple of months bring. 

I hope you are too.


I'll write a long post soon. As of now I need to get to bed so I can wake up early.
Goodnight.

 Like my idea? Photo by me :)

Love, a

thanks

This year we were in Shanghai for Thanksgiving. It was wonderful so let me tell you about it.

We headed down on the fast train on Thursday morning. When we got there we went to my sister's apartment and ate lunch near there. She lives in the middle of Shanghai and I love it. It's fun visiting my big sis. Also we saw Hannah (cousin) again. After that my cousin Aaron had a basketball game, so we went to watch it. Personally I love watching basketball and hanging out around a bunch of high schoolers!

We planned to do our big dinner on Friday night so the next day was spent cooking and enjoying everything. That night a bunch of people came over and we feasted! My family (extended and immediate) is the best. I had lots of fun with my cousins and I continue to be thankful for them all.

 Thank you Lord for a lovely thanksgiving.

I guess I already did my Thankful list so, Happy Thanksgiving friends and family, I LOVE you all and I'm so thankful for you.  

                                                

Love, "thankful" a

p.s. Another Christmas post coming up ;)
p.p.s. You definitely want to look at THIS!

                                                

the Bund

This week has been a happy one. Wednesday evening was spent in Shanghai on the Bund with my wonderful family.

My Grandparents came to China and during their visit they came to Suzhou to spend time with us... After they'd been here for a couple of days we went back to Shanghai with them on the train. We headed straight for the Bund.

It was a holiday and there were (let me just say) so many people. We strolled up and down the crowded sidewalk as I snapped away.

I feel like I can't quite tell you how good of a time I had. My pictures can't show you how beautiful this place is and can't give you the "Shanghai" vibe.

My uncle had made reservations at "Lost Heaven", a fancy restaurant on the Bund (Woo Hoo!) and that was just perfect as well. As I sat at the long table in the the dimmed light with my Grandparents, Uncle and Aunt, five cousins, Dad, Mom and siblings I felt blessed.

Delicious food such as Green beans, Chicken, Broccoli, (all Chinese style) was piled onto the table.

My Grandma and big sister Rachael (now a Shanghai native :D)

My night came complete with pictures standing beside young Chinese men (not my doing, they ask.. don't worry!) I wore black boots and my new gray sweater. I feel so blessed to be able to do things like this. To be able to be near family and make such good memories with them. To be able to live in a city and visit Shanghai... even though this isn't the first time I've been on the Bund it is the first time I actually took pictures. 

                                                 It was a wonderful night and like I said, I am blessed.
                                                                                    Love, a


p.s. Want to know more about the Bund? Click here and here's a picture of The_Bund_of_Shanghai.jpg

New things

So sorry for the lack of posts (or rather the lack of me) lately. I've been in Shanghai and doing other things.

Taken by Beth Jones

I'll do a full length post soon, sound good? Here are my new glasses (they're PRETTY darn awesome!) And my new "Periwinkle" scarf and creamy, white hat. I am in love with both of them too.

Oh and that's me in the picture, just so you know.

Happy Friday night and here's to sleeping in tomorrow! I love you guys.
          
                                                                               -a

*My Suzhou town* (It'a really a City)

I've been in my new home, a.k.a Suzhou China for 8 months. It's amazing and I love it. But theres obviously things I miss A TON about America and Colorado. Anyway this post i'll be talking about China. Next post i'll be posting about America and going home, sound good? Okay.


So Suzhou has been really great. The city, buses, taxi's, Chinese people, new friends, train's. Let me start with the first one, The City... I don't have much to write right now about living in the city but mainly it's just fun after living in a small town for so long (i'll talk about missing colorado soon).

The buses... Okay so I can get around Suzhou on the buses. I don't go by myself but I could get home and to certain places on the buses. The buses are a way to be with the chinese people all the time and try to speak some chinese. You get to your bus stop and see how many stops there are until it gets there. Let's say 4. In about 5 minutes it comes and you jump on, drop in your two qui (about $0.30) and either find a seat or if there all taken, stand up. And sometimes your SO, incredibly squished. Thats when there's about 60 people on the bus...!!! I figured out that i've been on a bus approx. 450 to 500 times since i've lived here!!! So I do like/love the buses. "Xie Xie bus driver." The taxi's are basically just, if we can't get a bus or it's easier. It's a little more expensive and the drive really fast so...

Chinese people. I say "Ni Hao" to a lot of people. A lot of the people are just people in our neighborhood, or our guards. Some people smile and say it back, but some people just stare---
In the bus a lot of times somebody will get up from there seat and offer it to one of us, which is sweet :)
There are a TON of them!!! Everybody know's that. Lot's of scooters and bikes and cars. I'll definitely tell so much more when I see you. 


New friends. Well we obviously have a lot of new friends from the Church and such but like my new friends? Lydia and Leah Wirgau are our very good friends! They have nine kids and we met them at church, and i'm very thankful for them! I love them.

Train's. We take the high speed train about every month or so. We'll go to Shanghai for certain events or birthday's or a three day visit or something so thats when we would take a train. They go like 210 miles an hour and cover about 100 miles in 18 minutes, making it very convenient and fun, to go to Shanghai on :) Oh and it's about 5 bucks each way.

Subways. We don't have a subway in Suzhou yet (another 6 months and we'll have "Line 1"!) but i've been on, I guess quite a few in Shanghai.

Sometimes it's really hard to believe that "I" actually live in China. I mean I don't always think about what that means and you know, living in another Country! I live in China! AHHH!  It's just pretty crazy. And fun.

Okay well I suppose thats enough about Suzhou. Although I can't wait to tell you in PERSON! All my friends and family, i'm so excited to talk about everything with you guys!
I love you all and miss you too!!!!

Jinji Lake as we drive by on the bus. (Can you see the pollution!? But the water is pretty in this picture)

Becca's, Beth's and I's room. It curves to the Left and there's a hallway with closets and a bathroom over there.  Were on the third floor.


Love, ARLJ

My Birthday part 2

My beautiful birthday cake and candles! Look down and there's me sick on the couch, like I was all day!!!! 

                                                               (Taken by Elisabeth)

My adorable little sailor mug from Bethy!!! I love it. 

Also from Bethy came my little boat~ 

My bright yellow lamp from Andrew. 

Banana!!! And a sister ring from Becca!

Cute flip flops from my Mommy, which are so cute. 

MY SHOES! There red and have adorable insides (not that, that matters) and bright colored shoe lace's and lace on the front. Yes there super cute. 

And my purse that I bought in Shanghai on the day before my birthday/party.
It's so colorful and cute!!!



So there's some of my presents! I love them all and am enjoying my new things :)
Love, A

My Birthday part 1

My birthday!!!! Well, Well, Well, I along with my sister's, Mom, and Lydia, Leah and there Mom, went to Shanghai for my b.day. We got up early, took the bus to the train station (just my Mom and us three girls, were getting very comfortable) and there we met my Wirgau friends :)
We got on the high speed train which I think goes like 210 miles per hour of something! Shanghai was so great!!! We shopped at this fake market and bargained (and I mean really arguing and everything!) for lot's of fun stuff as you will see sometime soon :) Rachael and my Aunt Judy joined us and there presence is lovely!! haha. I love having Aunt Judy along! And Rachael was a must.
The bargaining was just crazy! Here's a little hint to what it's like...
Me: How much?
Her: 300 something qui (too much)
Me: No way to much.
Her: How much to you want to give me?
Me: 100
Her: No!!! We wouldn't make any money and you offer to little.
As I walk away not buying it she says something like "Rubbish, rubbish!" After awhile I think they usually give it to you, either when you come back or you can get it somewhere else in the store.
I don't know they just get loud. It' pretty fun bargaining!!!! Oh and most of them know quite a lot of english because of talking so much to foreigner's.
Anyway after that we went to Lunch at the "Blue Frog". We sat in a beautiful little spot over looking a little, tree covered street. We were upstair's on big red booth's next to a window. There were pictures plastered on the Rich blue wall and the air was sweet.
We ordered, ate and talked and laughed. I asked the waitress if I could get a refill on coke and she said "No, only on ice tea or coffee" Okay...
She then came back about 20 minutes later and said "Can I get you a refill!" I was like yeah! Maybe because she heard it was my birthday :)
They brought out three plate's of brownie's which I didn't order, and everybody (in our group) sang Happy Birthday to me... In English then in Chinese :)
It was lovely.
Back to the train station we headed and home again, home again we went, taking pictures along the way.
So here is some pictures of my day! I could tell you so much more in person.

Becca, Leah and I at the fake market 

Some laughter taking place :) 

The beautiful tree's! 

If you look at the top of the small building you can see a face. 

Train Station!  

Lydia and I lost in thought, or should I say Music. 

The train as I walk by (it's not going!) 

The four girls, as were about to board the train 

About to leave! 

                                                                           Love, A